Mental: Head Inside

Overview

Science Gallery Melbourne's inaugural exhibition tackles a complicated subject, head-on. Running from Thursday, January 20–Saturday, June 18, Mental: Head Inside dives into a whole swag of different perspectives on the topic of mental health, aiming to unravel problematic societal biases and stereotypes.

The interactive exhibition showcases more than 20 experimental projects from various artists and researchers, which use science, technology and creativity to really explore different ways of being.

Among them, you'll find a space of reflection created by Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara artist Rosie Kalina that looks at the mental health impacts of racism and colonisation; a sensory project by UK artist Nwando Ebizie that captures the effects of the rare neurological disorder Visual Snow; and a performance work by Melbourne's Mary Angley and Caithlin O'Loghlen offering a glimpse into the realm of the wellness influencer and just what goes into creating that perfect image.

Through it all, Mental sets out to champion lived experience, created in collaboration with a cast of young people who've shared their own stories from right across the mental health spectrum.

Installation view of 'Hello Machine - Hello Human', Rachel Hanlon, from Mental: Head Inside at Science Gallery Melbourne, 2021. Photo: Alan Weedon.

Top Images: Installation view of 'Wheel', Hiromi Tango and Dr Emma Burrows; Installation view of 'Selfcare_4EVA', Mary Angley and Caithlin O'Loghlen; Installation view of 'Even in Fear', Zhou Xiqohu, and 'Kind Words', Ziba Scott. All from 'Mental: Head Inside' at Science Gallery Melbourne, 2021. Photos: Alan Weedon